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All Black Cam Roigard among the big movers in RugbyPass Top 100
By Finn Morton
Cam Roigard is one of the big winners from the RugbyPass Top 100 2025 so far, with the All Blacks halfback rising more than 50 spots into 21st overall. Wallabies centre Len Ikitau is the only player who has surged up more places than Roigard at the time of writing.
Roigard debuted for the All Blacks ahead of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 but was ranked third on the depth chart in knockout matches against Ireland, Argentina and South Africa. Aaron Smith started those Tests, while Finlay Christie provided cover off the pine.
With Smith retiring after that thrilling 12-11 defeat to the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup final, there was a changing of the guard in more ways than one for the All Blacks in 2024. Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson became the new head coach, and younger players got their chance to step up.
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After clocking in with the best time in the All Blacks’ pre-Super Rugby Pacific Bronco, Roigard was widely tipped to succeed Smith as the team’s starting number nine. But a devastating knee injury away to the Highlanders in round six sidelined Roigard for quite some time.
The lively scrum-half returned for Northern Tour matches against Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy. Roigard started opposite Antoine Dupont at Stade de France on November 17, 2024, scoring a try in a thrilling one-point defeat.
Roigard has gone to an all-new level in 2025, featuring in seven international matches, although injury was once again a talking point. The 25-year-old scored a decisive double in a win over the Wallabies at Eden Park, and crossed for tries away to Ireland and Scotland last month.
“It’s awesome to be back. It’s moments like that that you can’t quite replicate and moments that you dream of,” Roigard told reporters after the win over the Wallabies in Auckland.
“I’ve been out for a while, obviously, so to be back and retain the Bled in front of our home fans at Eden Park, it doesn’t get much better.
“Credit to Aussie, we knew that they were battle-hardened with Joe Schmidt; he’s had a massive influence on the team, and they’re a team that doesn’t fold under pressure. They’re a team that’s going to go for the whole 80 minutes.
“We started well, got a pretty good lead, and then they were able to grind their way back before halftime.
“Credit to us, the last few weeks in that second half, we’ve let moments slip, so it was good to take control of it. We managed to get a few penalties and keep the scoreboard ticking over, and then to seal it towards the end, it was good. Really proud of the boys.”
11 journalists have had their say as the Top 100 for 2025 took shape, with Roigard surging up 51 places from 72nd in 2024. Wales’ Tomos Williams, Alex Mitchell from England, and South Africa’s Cobus Reinach are scrum-halves ranked below Roigard.
Some of the other big movers include France fullback Thomas Ramos, who has risen 48 spots into 26th overall. Damian Willemse, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Santiago Chocobares, Jasper Wiese and Codie Taylor have also had their form recognised.
2015 Rugby World Cup winner Beauden Barrett has dropped 66 spots, while a trio of others have moved down 52 places. Those three are England playmaker Marcus Smith, Springboks flyer Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Ireland midfielder Bundee Aki.
The top 10 will be revealed on Monday, December 15.
Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players 2025 and let us know what you think!
